Undergarment



E. FREI unosncmmm Feb. 17, 1959 Filed June 29, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG INVENTOR EMIL FREI FIG. 3

ATT RNEY 5- FREI UNDERG Feb. 17, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed J1me 1954 ATTORNEY UNDERGARMENT Emil Frei, Hackensack, NJ. Application June 29, 1354, Serial No. 440,102 3 Claims. (Cl. 128-524 This invention relates to the art of undergarments and particularly concerns a novel girdle, also a girdle provided with novel crotch piece,

It has been known in the art to provide a form fitting girdle with a crotch piece detachably :secured to lower portions of thegirdle. Such a crotch piece is generally loosely fitted resulting ininsufficient protection and some discomfort to "the wearer. The girdle ridesup in use causing a binding at the thighs of the wearer. The present invention is directed to overcoming these and other disadvantages inherent in prior girdle constructions.

It is a principalobject of the present'inventionto provide a girdle with a leg crotch piece converting the garment into panty-girdle. 7

It is a'further object to provide a crotch piece for a girdle which is wholly or partially detachable and which in use encircles the thighs of the wearer in the manner of a panty.

Itis a further object to provide a crotch piece for a.

girdle and which in use snugly fits the thighs of the wearer in the manner of a panty and which fully covers the crotch of the wearer. v

It is a further object to provide a crotch piece for a girdle adapted to convert it into a panty gridle and formed as a (sling or hammock with front andback p 7 1 It is still another object'ofthis inventionto provide an undergarment of the type commonly known as a corselet or combination brassiere and girdle incorporating thenoyel crotch construction hereinabove mentioned in connection with girdles. For the purposes of the specifications and claims,fthis undergarment will be called by its commonly known name of corselet.

'Ihe corselet herein described and claimed is of unique" construction. It is the only garment known to applicant which combines the features of an elastic girdle and a strapless brassiere. The girdle and thejbrassiere are connected to eachother to form a. single garment. The girdle portion of said garment is. open at'the bottom and it is provided with a detachable crotch piece which extends'between the legs when worn. As is the case with the girdles alonepas above mentioned, .the crotch piece cooperates with the girdle proper in encircling and tensionally engaging the thighs of the wearer, The garment is accordingly converted into a panty girdle and brassiere combination. As is the case with the'girdle alone, the crotch piece may be fully detachable from the garment or only partly detachable therefrom, that is, the'back of the crotch piece may be permanently secured to the back of the girdle and the front of the crotch piece may be detachably secured to the front of the girdle or vice versa.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide a combination garment which combines the features of an elastic panty girdle having a removable or partly removable-crotch piece and a strapless brassiere integral therewith.

ice

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following description taken together with the drawing wherem:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a girdle embodying.

the invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the girdle of Fig. 1 with crotch piece removed.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a crotch piece constructed according to the invention.v

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of a girdle embodying the:

invention.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on lines 55 of Fig. 1.. Fig. 6 is an elevational view of a girdle embodying:

a modification of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a crotch piece embodying a:

further modification of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectionalview of a girdle showing: the disposition therein of a crotch piece according to spread out and the girdle portion being partly broken away to expose the crotch piece.

Fig. 10 is a back View of a corselet as herein described and claimed, with the girdle portion broken away to expose a modification of the crotch construction.

"Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section showing how the crotch piece of Fig. 10 is fully secured to the girdle portion of the corselet shown in Fig. 10.

In Figs. 1 and 2 are shown the form fitting girdle body 10 comprising a continuous member having an open top and bottom for encircling the lower back and abdomen of a wearer. The girdle body may be fabricated entirely of elastic material or may have alternate elastic and inelastic panels. The upper and lower edges of the girdle body include reinforced lower and upper bands 11 and 12 respectively. Garter straps 13 are attached to the lower portion of the girdle body. -On the inside wall of the girdle at the rear thereof are a plurality of female snap fastener elements aligned on a tape 15. The tape is disposed a short distance above the band 11 and is substantially parallel thereto. A pair of similar female snap fastener elements 16 mounted on tape tabs 17 are apart a distance slightly greater than the distance between the snap fastener elements 14 disposed at the ends of tape 15. A similar tape 18 is disposed on the inside wall of the girdle at the front thereof above band 111. Tape 18 carries at least three female snap fastener elements 20 aligned substantially parallel to the five snap fastener elements 14 at the rear of the girdle. A pair of female snap fastener elements 19 are disposed about an inch below the outermost snap fastener elements 20 and spaced apart a distance somewhat greater than the outermost elements 20. Snap fastener elements 19 are mounted on tape tabs 21 in the same manner as the other snap fastener elements. A crotch piece is detachably secured to the snap fastener elements of the girdle by means shown best in Fig. 3. i

The crotch piece shown in Fig. 3 has an elongated central section 22 with sides 23 of generally increasing curvature from the band 24 at one end to the band 26 the. bands 24 and 26 provide the mating means for at-L- tially parallel to the sides 23 of the center panel. Band 26 is intended tobe attached at the front of the girdle and band 24 is to be attached at the rear of the girdle. The male snap fastener elements 27 and 28 aligned 'on 3 tachment to the female snap fasteners on the inner walls of the girdle. Tape tabs 29 and 30 are disposed at the outer corners of the side panels 25 and carry mating male snap fastener elements 31 and 32 for engagement with corresponding snap fastener elements 16 and 19 on the girdle.

In Figs. 1, 4 and 5 are shown the neat and snug manner in which the crotch piece attaches to the girdle. The crotch piece is disposed within the cavity formed by the body of the girdle converting it into a panty girdle. This is accomplished by the elastic bands 25 which completely encircle the legs of the wearer in cooperation with the outer sections of band 11 of the girdle. Also the curved center section 22 of the crotch piece curves up neatly and naturally from back to front because of the gradual narrowing of the width of the crotch piece, making for a smooth snug lit and full coverage of the crotch of the wearer without bulges or excessive slackness. At the same time the wearer has full freedom of movement because of the various elastic panels and bands which yield readily to all body movements. Because of the snug fit of the crotch piece at the legs and in the crotch the girdle cannot ride up as is experienced in prior girdle constructions. A particularly important feature of the invention is the manner in which the bands 25 are caused to assume their proper pendent positions. This is accomplished by the snap fastener elements 31 and 32 located in the corners of the bands which engage the snap fastener elements 16 and 19 and cause the panels to incline inwardly and downwardly from the center section 22 in the manner of a cuffed panty. The arrangement of the crotch piece, as shown best in Fig. 4, clearly illustrates the full coverage which is given to the crotch of the wearer. This contributes importantly to the comfort afforded by the wearer and is a feature wholly absent in prior art constructions of removable type crotch pieces.

In Fig. 6 is shown a modification of the invention in which the crotch piece is joined to the back of the girdle by a smooth curved elastic seam 33 to which the center section 22 and side panels 25 of the crotch piece are joined. The front tape 18 with its aligned snap fastener elements 20 are arranged as in Fig. 1 Fasteners 19 on tape tabs 21 are disposed below and beyond fastener elements 26?. The male snap fastener elements 31 in the corners of panels 25 engage fastener elements 19,

while fastener elements 28 at the front end of the crotch piece engage fastener elements 20. The same smooth snug fit at the legs of the wearer is obtained with the construction of Fig. 6 as is obtained for the construction of Figs. 1 to 5.

The removable feature of the crotch piece of Figs. 1 to 5 is believed to have several manifest advantages. The crotch piece can be readily removed and laundered apart from the girdle. It can also be readily replaced with another crotch piece whenever desired.

In Fig. 7 is shown a modification of the invention including a crotch piece having a center section 22 elongated in form with two inwardly curved centrally disposed side portions 34. Attached to these side portions by elastic seams are the elastic panels or bands 35. Each panel or band 25 is correspondingly outwardly curved and extends beyond the ends of the portions 34 to provide free ends on each of which are at least a pair of male snap fastener elements 36 disposed longitudinally of the band and substantially parallel to sides thereof. The outer ends of the center section 22' have inclined sides to form the narrowed panel portions 37. A pair of aligned male snap fastener elements 38 are disposed near each corner of each panel portion 37. The elements 38 are aligned longitudinally of the crotch piece and also form'successiveparallel rows disposed transversely of the. crotch piece.

In Fig. 8 is shown the manner in which the crotch pieceof Fig. 7 is disposed in a girdle body The crotch piece is attached near the top front and rear of the girdle to female snap fastener elements 39 which engage the male fastener elements 38. Fastener elements 36 engage female fastener elements 41 at the lower end of the girdle. Panel portions 37 form inner support walls for the abdomen and back of the wearer by forming with the center portion 40 of the crotch piece a hammock or sling. Bands 35 engage the legs of the wearer in cooperation with the outer lower portions of the girdle. The center portion 40 engages the crotch of the wearer smoothly and snugly and prevents riding up of the girdle when worn. The pairs of snap fastener elements in the corners of bands 35 and panel portions 37 permit adjustment of the crotch piece for any desired length. Of course more than two snap fastener elements 36, 38 may be provided at each corner if a greater range of adjustability is desired. Bands 35 may be of knitted or woven material of elastic construction. The center section 22' may be of any type fabric of necessary strength. Fastener elements 36 and 38 may be attached to tapes in the same manner as the fastener elements shown in Fig. 3, if desired. The arrangement of Fig. 8 is particularly valuable asa health belt or suspensory type girdle and includes the added feature of being readily removable in addition to being easily adjustable to the particular physical condition and needs of the wearer.

Turning now to Figs. 9, 10 and 11 and to the corselet which incorporates the features of this invention, it will be noted that the garment 50 shown particularly in Fig. 9 and herein designated as a corselet comprises a girdle portion 51, a brassiere portion 52 and a crotch portion 53. Brassiere portion 52 is of the strapless variety and it consists ofa' pair of bust cups 54. a pair of side panels 55, a band 56 secured to the lower edges of the bust cups and side panels, a pair of elastic strap members 57 and fastening members 58, such as hooks and eyes. A wire frame59' is provided in said brassiere portion to maintain its shape and provide it with its necessary bust control properties. Girdle'portion 51 is made of knitted elastic material and it is provided along its lower edge with an elastic band 68. It will be observed that the upper end of said girdle portion is permanently secured to the'lower edge of the brassiere portion, including its hand 56 and the lower edges of panels :55 and bust cups 54.

It will be understood from what has previously been said that when the girdle portion 51 is worn on the person, its'elastic band 60 will resiliently and elastically engage the thighs of the wearer. Crotch piece 53 consists of a central panel 61 which is relatively narrow in the middle and relatively wide at its two ends, a pair of elastic bands 62 which are secured to the side edges of said central panel, a flap 63 secured to one end of said central panel and snap fasteners 64 or the like secured to said flap. Cooperating fastener members are secured to the girdle proper so that the crotch piece, and more particularly its forward end (lower end as viewed in Fig. 9) may be d'etachably secured to the girdle. The back end of the crotch piece (upper end as viewed in Fig. 9) is permanently secured to the back of the girdle by means of stitching 65. It will be noted that the back end of the crotch piece is secured to the girdle above elastic band 60 and it will be understood that the forward end of said crotch piece is likewise secured to the girdle above said elastic band 60. In addition to snap fasteners on flap 63, there are also snap fasteners at the lower ends of elastic bands 62-and corresponding fasteners on the girdle proper.

It will be understood from the foregoing that when the girdle is worn on the person and the crotch piece is snapped into closed position, elastic bands 62 will hug the inner portions of the thighs in the same sense that elastic band 60 of the girdle engages the outer portions of the thighs. Consequently, each thigh is encircled by what may be described as a continuous elastic band which keeps the girdle in place and prevents it from riding up.

Turning now to Fig. 10, it will 'be understood that the corselet therein shown is identical with the corselet shown in Fig. 9 except that a difierent crotch piece is '74 are secured to both flaps and they are engageable with cooperating fastener members on the girdle.

Secured to the side edges of panel 71 are elastic bands 75 corresponding to elastic bands 62 above mentioned. Secured to the corners or ends of these elastic bands 75 are additional snap fastener members 74 and there are corresponding cooperative fastener elements on the girdle engageable therewith. It will be observed from the foregoing that crotch piece 70 is completely detachable from the garment, not merely its front portion as shown in Fig. 9. When this garment shown in Fig. 10 is worn on the person, the legs will he encircled by bands of elastic material, namely, elastic band 60 on the outside of the legs and elastic bands 75 on the inside of the legs.

Referring now to Fig. 11, crotch piece 70 is shown in place in the girdle portion of the garment and it will 'be observed that it is detachably secured by snap fasteners to the inside of the girdle above the girdle band 60. It will also be observed in Fig. 11, as in Figs. 9 and 10, that garter straps 76 are provided at the lower edges of the girdle portion 51' for use in supporting the stockings of the wearer. This completes the garment so that the person who wears it need not also wear a garter belt.

Although a limited number of modifications of the invention have been disclosed, I have shown the preferred embodiments thereof. It is not intended however that the invention be construed as limited solely to the particular embodiments disclosed since they are only illustrative of the invention. It is desired that the extent of the invention be deemed coextensive with the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A- girdle having an elastic bottom edge adapted to engage outer portions of the thighs of a wearer, and a crotch piece secured to front and back portions of the girdle adjacent its elastic bottom edge and adapted to extend across'the crotch of the wearer, said crotch piece being provided with elastic bands along its side edges which are adapted to engage inner portions of the thighs of the wearer, the side edges of said crotch piece being concavely curved to enable the elastic bands thereon to conform to the curvature of the inner thigh portions of the wearer, fastener elements being provided to attach the ends of said elastic bands to said girdle adjacent its elastic bottom edge to enable said elastic bands to cooperate with the elastic bottom edge of the girdle and to form substantially continuous elastic band means with said elastic bottom edge to encircle the thighs of the wearer.

2. A girdle in accordance with claim 1, wherein the crotch piece is permanently secured at one end to the girdle and detachably secured at its opposite end to the girdle.

3. A girdle in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the crotch piece is detachably secured to the girdle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,123,616 Van Praag July 12, 1938 2,490,137 Keller Dec. 6, 1949 2,503,636 Rockwell Apr. 11, 1950 2,544,432 Morano Mar. 6, 1951 2,587,911 Sider Mar. 4, 1952 2,588,603 Anderson Mar. 11, 1952 2,596,127 Carmean May 13, 1952 2,705,799 Frischer Apr. 12, 1955 

